on location: south O dave bodle

here are two itinerary options that just about every tour has in com- Tmon. Your travelers are going to eat and they’re going to shop. We could go on for days about the culinary substance of . How- ever, the sheer number of shopping alternatives is one of the main rea- sons that tours choose Virginia. From major malls to specialty shops to artist galleries, there are plenty of shopping options available. For now, though, our focus is for the bargain-hunting, discount-seeking, outlet junkies.

Tidewater & For over 60 years Williamsburg Pottery has been welcoming groups. In 1938 the pottery was founded by James E. Maloney to make 18th century salt glaze pottery reproductions and sell them at discounted prices. Since then the pottery has grown to more than 200 acres, hosting three million annual vis- itors and exceeding 70,000 items. What’s old, though, will soon be new, as Williamsburg Pottery has announced Outlet stores tempt group travelers with plans for a $20-million makeover. The hefty discounts on national brands and 146,800-square-foot retail project will the best of made-in-Virginia products include three separate buildings in a traditional European market theme. VirginiaVirginia OutletOutlet

Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, located ShoppingShopping just 15 minutes from Dulles Airport, offers shoppers more than 100 stores.

36 February 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com Outlet by Designs. Also at Levi’s are free shopping bags for group tour pas- sengers and meal vouchers or gift cer- tificates for drivers and escorts. A lounge is available for drivers and escorts. With 135 designer and brand name outlet stores, Williamsburg Premium Outlets is one of Virginia’s larger out- let centers. Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Chico’s, Adidas, Tommy Bahama and Kate Spade are just a few stores offering outstanding savings and exceptional se- lections. Williamsburg Premium Out- lets welcomes groups of all sizes and provides special welcome packages for groups and bus tours that pre-register at premiumoutlets.com/english/reser- vation_form.asp.

Northern Virginia , just 30 minutes south of Washington, D.C. on I-95, is a bargain hunter’s dream. Among 225 retailers promising savings of 30%- 70% are Off 5th, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Nordstrom Rack. At least six area ho- tels offer group shopping packages. A reservation two weeks prior to your visit is requested and allows them to prepare for your group and provide special perks. A Potomac Mills coupon book is available upon arrival for groups of 10 or more, plus a souvenir gift for Potomac Mills, one of the East Coast’s top outlet malls, offers free coupon books the group leader and/or bus driver. To for groups of 10 or more. It’s a half hour south of Washington, D.C. make a reservation for your group, email [email protected] or call Construction began in December and the epicenter of outlet shopping. Come 703-496-9352. (simon.com) an April 2012 grand opening is antici- for the history, but stay an extra day or Set in a picturesque outdoor village, pated to commemorate the 100th birth- two to shop. Williamsburg Outlet Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets day of the founder. Mall boasts savings of 20%-70% off re- features 110 retail stores, from Gap Other features of the new Williams- tail with more than 40 stores in an en- Outlet and Reebok to Nautica and Bar- burg Pottery are a courtyard with a stage closed mall. L’eggs, Hanes Playtex, Totes neys New York. The mall is located at for live music and performances, plus and Linen Barn, along with two food the intersection of Route 7 and U.S. 15 inside/outside seating at the Café & gardens and plenty of resting benches, Bypass in Leesburg, just 15 minutes Bakery and Deli. The pottery will con- make the mall a pleasant tinue to operate throughout the con- stop. Complimentary mall ONLINE EXCLUSIVE struction, closing only on Christmas coupons worth over $100 For more Virginia shopping ideas, go online and Day. (williamsburgpottery.com) are available for group pas- see the article “Five Unique Virginia Shops.” Log on to http://leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=22092 The Williamsburg area may just be sengers at Levi’s/Dockers

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on location: south O from Dulles Airport. Groups of 15 or ing net carb, sugar-free, factory seconds Obtain Virginia more receive free VIP coupon books and plenty of bargains. Mouth-water- visitor guides upon arrival. Reserve by completing the ing treats await just 2.5 miles off I-95 and itineraries – and contact group- form at premiumoutlets.com/english at Exit 104, Highway 207. friendly suppliers /reservation_form.asp. directly – at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info The Russell Stover Candies store Shenandoah Valley in Ruther Glen features Russell Stover What would you call an outlet that are discounted from 60-90%? boxed candies and chocolates, includ- bookstore featuring 500,000 new books US Airways Magazine called it “The Best Bookstore on the East Coast.” Green Valley Book Fair, near I-81 between Harrisonburg and Staunton, offers all categories of books, including history, literature, children’s, cooking, self help and re- ligious. It opens six times a year, usually for two weeks at a time. Visit gobookfair.com for the schedule. Hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week.

Southern Virginia When shopping for clothing name brands by Worthington, St. John’s Bay, Southpole and more, visit the JCPenney Outlet Store at Martinsville’s Liberty Fair Mall. Taking advantage of overstocked and discounted merchandise from the JCPenney network, you’ll find numerous selections at 20%-60% less than store prices. No trip to Martinsville is com- plete without doing some home furnishings shopping. Martin Plaza Furniture Outlet is home to the Bassett and Hooker Furniture Outlets with selections from many other major manufacturers. River- side Furniture specializes in bed- room, living room and dining room furniture and framed artwork. Bar- gains Galore offers name-brand furniture at discounted prices and has two showrooms in the Mar- tinsville area. About a mile off I-95 at exit 4, just before you leave Virginia going south, is Good Earth Peanut

LeisureGroupTravel.com Blue Ridge Highlands In 2004 Gina and Ron Isom pur- chased what is now Fancy Gap Pot- tery & Fabric Outlet in, where else, but Fancy Gap, Va. As the name im- plies, pottery and fabric are featured, but new merchandise arrives almost daily. Included are giftware and home decor, ribbon and floral supplies, silk flowers and a wonderful Christmas shop. Located just off I-77 at exit 8, they’re open seven days a week. (276- 728-9524, fancygappottery.com) Near Wytheville and conveniently located at the intersection of I-77 and I-81, you’ll find the bright red roof of the Ft. Chiswell Outlets. More than 25 stores, headlined by Emerson Creek Pottery’s retail outlet store is adjacent to the studio. Polo Ralph Lauren, Bon Worth and L’eggs/Hanes/Bali/Playtex, offer sav- Company. Virginia grows the largest and fireplace, and three double-barrel ings up to 70% off of department store variety of peanuts in the world, and the chimneys. Visitors connect with the past prices. (276-637-6214, ftchiswellout- family-owned and operated company by experiencing the special quality of lets.com) specializes in gourmet peanuts. In ad- handmade pottery, which continues a From the Blue Ridge Mountains to dition to peanuts and other nuts, you’ll true American tradition handed down the Tidewater/Hampton Roads region, find traditional preserves, butters and from Colonial times. (866-411-1977, e- from malls to individual manufacturer’s pickled items, all made in Virginia. The mail [email protected], emer- stores, Virginia truly is for lovers of out- store is closed on Sunday. (800-643- soncreekpottery.com) let shopping. LGT 1695, [email protected], goodearthpeanuts.com)

Central Virginia Since 1980 Plow & Hearth has been a trusted name specializing in en- during home and lifestyle products. Located just off Route 29 at Madison, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the outlet offers catalog overstocks, discounted items and one- of-a-kind samples at savings of 30%- 70% off regular catalog retail prices. (plowhearth.com/outletstore.html) Located just outside Bedford, Emer- son Creek Pottery has been creating handmade and hand-painted items for almost 30 years. Adjacent to the studio is the retail outlet store in an original 1825 log cabin with its original log walls Nordstrom Rack and more than 200 other stores draw groups to Potomac Mills.

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